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[caption id="attachment_25852" align="aligncenter" width="882"] Sreejesh doubtful starter against South Korea in the semi finals | Image : Twitter[/caption]

Internet Desk: India suffered a huge blow ahead of their Asian Champions Trophy semi-final clash on Saturday against South Korea. Ace goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is a doubtful starter for India as he suffered an ankle twist. Defender Surender Kumar is also not available for India as he is serving a suspension.

India will be wary about their opponents, a young and resurgent South Korean side, who held them to a 1-1 draw in a Group League game.

In spite of the result against Koreans, India emerged on top of the round-robin league standings. South Korea finished third in the league table.

The Koreans led by a goal until four minutes from the hooter before a penalty corner produced the Malaysian equaliser and got the home side the second place in the league standings. "South Korea is a good side that has improved its quality throughout this tournament. We saw yesterday what they can do," said Indian coach Roelant Oltmans. "The Korean strength lies in their defence. It will all depend on how we can break past their defence," said Oltmans, hoping his own defence would overcome the problems confronting the team. "I think Sreejesh will be able to play. He's recovering from the ankle injury, but even if he does not play in the semifinals, Akash Chikte is a very good reserve goalkeeper," the coach said. Oltmans praised Chikte for his fine show in the last two matches, where he was fielded for the entire duration of the games as Sreejesh was rested. The coach said India had no choice of a semi-final opponent. "They are all strong teams. It does not matter who we play in the semi-finals. When we left India for Kuantan, we saw these four teams making the semifinals," said Oltmans. "Five minutes before the end of the last league match yesterday, my mind was preparing for a semifinal against Pakistan," said the coach, referring to the scenario of an India-Pakistan semi-final had the Koreans won the game against Malaysia. "Now, I have to prepare for a match against South Korea. Hopefully it would not be a 1-1 draw tomorrow," said Oltmans, referring to the only match in the round-robin league that India did not win.

India will seek to reclaim the title that they won in the inaugural edition in 2011.